Son of the Empire

Thousands of years in the future, uneasy peace is maintained by the Military Alliance, a coalition of three solar systems, as the iron-fisted façade of Gideon Destry puts down rebellion brewing in the minds of the Lark sisters. As chaos ensues, Jasper Harkenshine is propelled into the mystery as the politically neutral Library of Callisto is finally forced to choose a side, sparking the beginning of a long and dangerous conflict.
*My first attempt at NaNoWriMo 2015*

2. One

The dormitory was alive with chaos of the Bridging Ceremony. The boys rushed, searching for their robe, their shoes, or their tablet. A bell rang over the intercom and the Librarians quickly filed out of the room, briskly walking in the direction of the elevator. Jasper, a third-year Librarian, continued to search for his robe. It was olive green, the color that represented the Kleio Historical Archives, and the same as everyone else’s in his dorm.

“Someone probably thought it was theirs and took it,” Jasper muttered grimly. He then turned and walked out the door, shutting it behind him, as most of the people had already taken the elevator to the Great Hall. Cassiel was waiting for him in the hallway.

“You’re probably looking for this,” Cassiel said cheekily, tossing the green robe to Jasper. “You left it in Avary’s dormitory.” Jasper pulled the robe on and continued his way down the hallway at a quickened pace. Cassiel followed, as he usually did.

Jasper wasn’t bothered by Cassiel. He considered his genderfluid friend a bit eccentric in the style of his mannerisms, but they had been together ever since their arrival at the Library.

From his pants pocket, Jasper pulled out a yellow pin, pinning it on his shirt with pride as they turned the corner.

“You’re sure like to show that thing off,” Cassiel commented, nodding towards the pin.

“You would too, if you were one of ten on the entire moon to be placed as new medics,” Jasper replied, adjusting the cuffs of his robe.

“Ouch, that wounds me, Jasper,” Cassiel chuckled with a big toothy grin. To Jasper, it made his friend look younger- twelve instead of seventeen. “Soon you’ll be too snarky and clever to hang out with even me.”

Jasper smiled, then quickly changed the subject. “Do you remember our Bridging Ceremony?” Jasper asked, a smile catching his lips in a sentimental sort of way. “We had been studying and training for four years for that moment.”

Jasper remember it clearly, even though it had been years. After training in strength to protect the Library in case of attack, and studying all the different aspects of cultural knowledge, over one hundred students gathered in the amphitheater. The combined results of a multitude of tests and preferences would make the final call. Names were read off and you would stand- your bureau name, your new home, was to be announced to the entire crowd. It was one of the most pivotal moments in a Librarians career.

“Yeah,” Cassiel snorted. “And you prayed to whatever god, hoping that you didn’t get stuck in the Ellura Astronomical Documentation Office for the rest of your life.” They stopped at the elevator, and Jasper dug around in his pockets for his identification card. The hallway behind them was completely empty. All the other Librarians were already on the main floor. “That would have been dull. Imagine writing down the temperature records and citizenship numbers and political powers for different planets for the rest of your life. I’m surprised that anyone voluntarily stays there.”

Jasper hummed in agreement, not really paying attention as he turned one of his robe pockets inside out. In turn, Cassiel swiped an identification card instead.

“And now we’re giving the tours of the Library,” Jasper replied half-heartedly. “Are we leading one together?” The stepped into the elevator, Cassiel pressing the button that would take them to the Great Hall.

“No, I tried to pull some strings- I tried to talk to this girl in Polexia Spiritual Records, who was overseeing the whole thing, but she wouldn’t change it,” Cassiel shrugged. “I guess I wasn’t her type.”

Jasper tapped his foot nervously. He would now have to lead alone. He would have to answer nosy questions from 13-year-olds, and pelt them with useless information. It was characteristic of someone who worked in the Historical Archives, but then again, Jasper wasn’t sure if he was a typical Historian. He wasn’t one to talk for long, either.

“They wanted to have two different genders in each group,” Cassiel added after a moment. “I am leading with Aer, but you’re stuck with some girl called Ciel.”

“Ciel,” Jasper echoed to himself.

“She’s from another moon called Europa, so she doesn’t have a last name,” Cassiel continued. His eyes were fixed on the counter at the top of the door, waiting for the elevator to stop moving.

“That’s the moon in charge of the Library’s protection, right?”

“Yeah. Plus, she’s blue.”

“How would you know if she was sad. You’ve never met her.”

“No, I mean she’s literally blue,” Cassiel replied with a grin, smiling up at the changing floor numbers. “Something about radiation and evolution on her home planet makes Europans have blue skin.” The doors slid open, and Jasper stepped out. Cassiel lingered in the elevator. “I’m on the next floor up.” The doors slid closed as Jasper’s friend winked. “Good luck.”